Nostalgia - 20091228

After a short visit to my nominal hometown Shajing (沙井) last Friday, I could not help confirming that the word "nostalgia" would be vanished in China.

According to Wikipedia, "nostalgia" describes a longing for the past. Generally speaking, homesickness would be its synonym.

Though never a resident in Shajing, I went back there not unusually in my young age, for the sake of ancestors reverence and new year celebration. The change of Shajing in these 20 years is horrendous. I just wonder how could people adapt to those new stuffs in every bit of their daily life.

The living environment has been demolished and rebuilt. In the past, many of the people were farmers or fishermen. However, thanks to development, many of the farmlands have been changed to factories. Without any concept of environmental conservation, the toxic substance excreted from factories has been lavishly polluting Shajing's land and sea. Thus, seafood was inedible and the quality of their famous oyster was dubious. As such, the then farmers and fishermen have changed their mode of living. Generally, most of them are unemployed and living under the sumptuous subsidy provided by the province. Some of the others would become sales or proprietors. Living premises have been changed from 2-storey houses to state-of-art apartments.

The mode of transportation has been turned-upside-down. In the past, the vogue was riding the robust Phoenix bicycles. Now, even motorcycles would be laughed off by those saloon car owners. The by-product of boost in cars is smog round-the-clock.

Entertainment is a new found addict to Shajing's people. When they were still engaged in the primary industry, they had no luxury for entertainment. Watching movies would be their annual event. Now, everybody immerses in the flesh market. Prostitutes could be found in each and every street corner. Women indulge in message and spa.

Thus, if somebody lost his sense 20 years ago, and have been waken up today, he could find no hint of recollection in his so called hometown.

BTW, below is the official website of Shajing!
http://www.shajing.gov.cn/